Technology has changed the world we live in and this is certainly the case in education. However, the introduction of technology in education has raised three important issues.
The first of these relates to how suitable our education systems are in relation to our societies’ needs. In the past education has changed to fit the needs of society, for example, the emergence of the factory model of education, whereby all students were given basic universal skills related to the needs of the industrial revolution. However, modern day society requires a different set of skills, for instance, information literacy skills, taking responsibility for their own learning, and being able to work independently and in groups. It would seem many education systems have not transformed themselves yet, in order to meet these needs.
The second issue relates to the nature of today’s students. For example, Prensky argues that because young people today spend so much of their lives online, educators need to use this to benefit students by getting them to participate in education in the same way. However, the question of whether or not young people think differently because of their exposure to technology, is questionable, and there is a danger that educators make overgeneralizations regarding the nature of students which may not serve individual’s needs.
Finally, with developments in technology comes the possibility of inequalities opening up between those who have access to it and those who don’t. The same can be said for education, where a digital divide has been observed. This can take the form of different levels of access to the internet or it can reflect the different ways people are using information technology.
The presence of technology in classrooms is no simple matter. Educators need to ensure the above three issues are taken heed of in order to ensure all students’ needs and learning preferences are identified and targeted.
The Digital Divide
21st Century Learners
Technology and Change in Education
Technology has changed the world we live in and this is certainly the case in education. However, the introduction of technology in education has raised three important issues.
The first of these relates to how suitable our education systems are in relation to our societies’ needs. In the past education has changed to fit the needs of society, for example, the emergence of the factory model of education, whereby all students were given basic universal skills related to the needs of the industrial revolution. However, modern day society requires a different set of skills, for instance, information literacy skills, taking responsibility for their own learning, and being able to work independently and in groups. It would seem many education systems have not transformed themselves yet, in order to meet these needs.
The second issue relates to the nature of today’s students. For example, Prensky argues that because young people today spend so much of their lives online, educators need to use this to benefit students by getting them to participate in education in the same way. However, the question of whether or not young people think differently because of their exposure to technology, is questionable, and there is a danger that educators make overgeneralizations regarding the nature of students which may not serve individual’s needs.
Finally, with developments in technology comes the possibility of inequalities opening up between those who have access to it and those who don’t. The same can be said for education, where a digital divide has been observed. This can take the form of different levels of access to the internet or it can reflect the different ways people are using information technology.
The presence of technology in classrooms is no simple matter. Educators need to ensure the above three issues are taken heed of in order to ensure all students’ needs and learning preferences are identified and targeted.